Originally from the sephardic minority of Portugal, Zadkiel's family had emigrated to Brazil after various purges in their home country. When they had insatuated themselves into the local diamond trade, they were expelled again, forced to emigrate to the Netherlands. This time however, his family was able to operate with their established contacts and made it into diamond trade, becoming quite rich in the process.

He went on to became a lawyer, but also studied rabbinic lore. During his studies, he was found by a group of Lasombra antitribu who followed a kabbalistic version of Abyss mysticism and initiated him into their ranks. When the Sabbat finally invaded Brazil under the leadership of Charles Delmare, Zadkiel survived by selling out and joining their ranks. Serving his savior faithfully, he stayed by his side until Charles went off during the Third Sabbat Civil War.